Influence of the aging of Fe oxides on the decline of magnetic susceptibility of the Tertiary red clay in the Chinese Loess Plateau

Magnetic properties, free and active Fe oxides, grain size distribution and mineral assemblage of a Quaternary loess–Tertiary red clay (TRC) section in Lingtai County in the Chinese Loess Plateau were studied. The results suggest that the TRC of the Lingtai section shares similar aeolian characteristics with the overlying Quaternary loess-paleosol sequence (QLPS), but the former is generally more intensively weathered than the latter, as indicated by its higher citrate–bicarbonate–dithionite (CBD) extractable Fe (Fed), finer grain size and lower content of easily weathered primary minerals. However, magnetic susceptibility (χlf) and magnetic remanence (χarm, SIRM and SOFT etc.) of the main part of the TRC are significantly lower, implying the decline of ferrimagnetic minerals (FM). In contrast, hematite and goethite in the TRC is significantly enhanced, as indicated by its higher HIRM. The acid ammonium oxalate (AAO) extractable Fe (Feo) of the whole section sharply decreases with increasing age. Feo and Feo/Fed values of the section are significantly correlated with χlf. Especially in the TRC, the low values of Feo and Feo/Fed correspond to weak χlf. This suggests a significant influence of the age-related transformation of Fe oxides on the decline of FM in the TRC. Lower FM and higher hematite and/or goethite in the TRC further suggest the transformation of FM into hematite with the aging of Fe oxides during post-depositional processes, though more evidence is needed to understand the processes involved. χlf of the TRC in the Chinese Loess Plateau mostly cannot be regarded as a promising paleoclimatic proxy because its weak magnetism does not correlate to its strong pedogenesis.